Joker Phillps Resigns, Chris Leak Joins Gator Staff

The NCAA in all its supreme wisdom may have recently said OK to ‘all you can eat’ for student athletes, but Joker Phillips allegedly being photographed with a recruit at a restaurant during a recruiting dead period is not what they meant.

The former head man for the Kentucky Wildcats spent 2013 on will Muschamp’s Florida staff as receivers coach. Phillips will not be on the sidelines in The Swamp this season.

The information reached the NCAA via a Miami Hurricanes supporter, according to a Yahoo Sports report.

In a statement released by Florida Phillips says, “I’m thankful for the opportunity that the University of Florida and Will Muschamp provided to me and my family, but at this time I have decided to step down from my position on the UF coaching staff for personal reasons.”

Muschamp toed the party line in his remarks as well, wishing Phillips and his family all the best.

Chris Leak, the Gators’ 2006 BCS National Championship winning quarterback, has been named to replace Phillips on the staff. “Chris is a bright young coach,” Muschamp said. “He is one of the all-time Gator greats and being at Florida is very important to him…”

Hiring a Gator legend is solid PR, but the possibility of a major NCAA violation from Phillips is not helping Muschamp’s status on the hot seat.